SEASON OUTLOOK
Plant will face an early-season test when it takes on John Curtis. More tough games are sure to follow in the playoffs.
Photo/IIIustration by Marc Estrada
John Curtis (River Ridge, La.). This could easily go to Armwood, the team’s local rival, but an early season matchup with John Curtis will be an excellent test for Plant as it battles the No. 6 team in the nation. Curtis is loaded with skill players and, like Plant, is disciplined and well-coached.
Question mark: Is this the year Plant will get past Armwood? Armwood has had Plant’s number in recent years, and handed Plant its only loss last season (a 21-0 shutout.) Armwood graduated a bounty of seniors and has had an offseason littered with drama. But its defense will still give Plant fits.
Wesley Bullock is expected to get the bulk of the carriesthis season for Plant.
Photo by Marc Estrada
Usually, Plant and Armwood are clearly the top two teams in the area. In 2010, East Lake may emerge as the top team in Tampa. Loaded with young skill players and a great quarterback in Pete Dinovo, if East Lake can improve its line play, it could make a run at a state title.
Overall outlook: Plant has great community support and one of the top coaching staffs in the state. This fall, it also has a wealth of experience and talent. Plant improves dramatically throughout the season, and is very tough to beat in the playoffs. If it can endure its regular season schedule unscathed, it could be vying for a No. 1 spot nationally.
Coach quote: “We see we have a lot of talent on paper, a lot of guys with great talent, but that whole chemistry thing. It really doesn’t come to a head until you start getting into the second or third week of the season. We notoriously have started slow, because we normally graduate a lot of guys. But we have a lot of guys back in key areas."
- Assistant coach Bo Puckett
